AUSTIN — Texas icon Willie Nelson will be headlining a benefit concert for Democratic candidate Beto O'Rourke who is running for Texas Senate.
This is not the first time Willie Nelson has put his two cents into politics. In fact, he uses his musical career to be vocal on many issues like farmers' rights, immigration, and the legalization of marijuana
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Nelson has performed for politicians in the past, most famously for President Jimmy Carter in 1980.
He has also endorsed a wide range of political candidates like Bernie Sanders and Republican candidates like Gary Johnson in the 2012 presidential election.
The rally for O'Rourke will be Nelson's first-ever free public performance on behalf of a political candidate.
Political Analyst Dr. Jim Henson, with the University of Texas' Politics Project, said this concert probably won't sway voters.
"I would not expect this to be a game changer in any way," Dr. Henson explains. "It'll reinforce the people that already like him, but it's not likely to sway any other voters."
Dr. Henson said this concert will only reassure voters already endorsing O'Rourke and will have little impact on the campaign of his opponent, Ted Cruz.
"It usually has short term affects, but it drives media coverage," Dr. Henson explained, "Beto has not ran a state-wide election before. For all the successes the campaign has seen, he is not as well-known as his opponent."
Henson said celebrities typically endorse candidates with their same political views and it's typically the people with the same values that go to the events.
"It's very consistent with the brand of the campaign," Dr. Henson said. "It will not change attitudes around state. It will mainly get attention from people inclined to vote for him."
According to O'Rourke's campaign site, the free rally will be at Auditorium Shores in Austin on Saturday, Sept. 29.
It will feature music by Nelson himself, Joe Ely, Tameca Jones, Carrie Rodriguez and others.